Fencing game



L. A. HARV'EY June 24, 1958 FENCING GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 27.1955 INVENTOR. BY flfizruey 6416M MW ZouZS June 24, 1958 L. A. HARVEYFENCING GAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 00;. 27, 1955 United States Patent 4FENCING GAME 4 Louis A. Harvey, Detroit, Mich. Application October 27,1955, Serial No. 543,074

13 Claims. (Cl. 273-85) This invention relates to games and, 'inparticular, to sports-simulating games.

-One object of this inventionis to providea fencing game wherein twoopposing players may parry and thrust with captive fencing foils of aspecial pattern which are prevented from being withdrawn or advancedbeyond predetermined distances in order to protect the players frominjury. I t

Another object is to provide a fencing game of the foregoing characterwherein targets are provided and adapted to be engaged by an accuratethrust of one of the fencing foils, with the result that the success ofa player may be judged by the number of targets he is able to engagewith the tip of'his foil during a given period or for a given length ofgame.

Another object is to provide a fencing game, as set forth in thepreceding object, wherein the targets consist of displaceable targetobjects, such as small balls, for example marbles, yieldably mounted intarget holes into which 'the'forward end of the fencing foil maypenetrate, the score being determined by the number of target objectswhich a player may displace from the target holes of his opponent. c 1 IAnother-object is to provide a fencing game, as set forth above,whereinthe foils are movably mounted in slots in a retaining member soas to be movable to and fro and back and forth in order'to obtainthegreatest permissible freedom in thrusting 'and parryin'g withoutexceeding the safe limitsthereof, as established-by the retainingelements on the fencing foils.

Another object is to provide a fencing gamefas set or troughs where theyare visible for scoring purposes player'so as to hold down the framestructure and prevent,

its undesired displacement during progress of thegame. Other objects andadvantages of the invention willbecome apparent during the course of thefollowing descriptionof the drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fencing game according-to one form ofthe present invention;

. Figure 2 is a right-hand end elevation of thefencing game shown inFigure 1; c

' Figure 3 is a top plan view of the fencing game shown in'Figures l and2; I

Figure '4 is an enlarged fragmentaryelevation of the target portionshown in the upper part of Figure 2;

Patented June 24, 1953 l C C 2 Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentarylongitudinal section through the tip of a fencing foil shown in Figuresl and 3, showing the construction thereof;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-section similar to Figure 5,

but showing a modification with an upwardly-inclined target hole used inplace of the resilient detent flap of Figure 5; a

Figure 9 is a side elevation of a modified'fencing game according toanother form of the present invention, with the upper right-hand cornerin approximately vertica section taken along the line 9-9 in Figure 10;

Figure 10 is a right-hand end elevation, partly in section, of thefencing game shown in Figure 9; and

Figure 11 is a top plan View of the fencing game shown in Figures 9 and10. a

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 shows a fencing game,generally designated 10, consisting of a. framework of four uprights 11interconnected by longi tudinal and cross members 12 and 14 with stepplates 16 secured to the latter for receiving the weight of the players.in order to hold the framework from slipping along the: floor. The upperparts of the uprights are interconnected. by longitudinal members 18 and'cross members 20, each with a bottom wall 22, inclined back wall 23 andfront: wall 24 forming ball pockets'26 for receiving marbles; 27 used inplaying the game. The upper ends of each pair of uprights 11 areinterconnected by boards 28 which are the main elements of the game.

Each board 28 near its upper end is'provided with an arcuateslot 30(Figure 2) through which the blade in the form of a rod 32 of a fencingfoil 34 passes, held in place by retaining collars 36 and 38 so as topermit lunging when the foil is held by the handle 40 but to prevent complete withdrawal. The forward end of each rod 32 carries a rubber tip 42which has a reduced diameter end 44 adapted to enter any one of a seriesof target holes 46 in the opposing board 28. The rearward sides of theholes 46 are counter-bored as at 48 (Figure 5) to receive balls 27, suchas marbles, which are yieldably held in place by resilient flaps 52 ofrubber or the like nailed to the board as at 54. The flaps 52 extendonly partway across the counterbores 48- so as to permit easy ejectionof the marbles 27 when they are pushed out by the entry of the reduceddiameter portion 44 of the foil tip 42 through the particular hole 46.The target holes 46 may be emphasized by a target background 56 (Figure6) or may be inclined, as at 47 (Figure 8) to provide gravity detentionof the balls 27.

In playing the game, each player grasps the handle 40 of his foil 34with one hand and puts his forward foot on the foot plate 16 in order tohold down his end of the framework. Each player then thrusts and parrieswith the object of defending the target holes 46 in his particular board28 while at the same time attempting to thrust the reduced diameter tip44 of his foil blade 32 into one of'the target holes46 in'his opponentsboard 48, pushing the ball 27 out of the hole 46 so that it dropsdownward into the pocket 26. The number of the marbles in the Figure 5is-a vertical section taken along the line 55 in Figure 4;,

' Figure '6 is an enlargedfragmentary front elevation of pockets 26measures the score for the players. Since the fencing foils34 are heldcaptive by the retaining. collars 36 and 38, neither of the players canthrust .far.

enough to injure the other players, yet the slots 30 provide freedom formanipulating the foil 34 to parry the opponents thrusts. 7

The modified fencing game, generally designated 60, shown in Figures9,l0 and 11, is similar in principle to the fencing game 10 shown inFigures l to 6 inclusive,

and differs in certain details. The fencing game 60 consists of fouruprights 62 which at theirlower ends are interconnected by cross members64 to which foot rests 66 are attached and adapted to receive one footof each,

; player in order to prevent displacement of thegame play, it Mounted onthe upperends of the uprights,

62 are foil and target holders, generally designated 68. Each holder 68consists of a rectangular border frame 70 ha ing a. bo tom mem r 72 seured o upper ends ofnhe uprights 6 2 and1 horizontallyvgrooved as at 74along its upperedge. The;,groove,74 connects atits pppositeendsqwithvertical grooves 76, in side members 78 (Figure and the top of theborder frameisclosed by aremovable tcross bar 80 containing.a;1horizontal groove 82 on itslower side.

. Mounted in each border. frame 70 and'held in position by the grooves 74, 76 and 82 is a foilmounting board 84 consistinlof lowerand upperparts 86 and 88 respectively. Thelower part, 86 is provided with anarcuate upper 1edge 90 and the uppenpart, 88 with 'an arcuateedged cutaay portion 92, :these in cooperation forming an .arcuate slot, 94,Mounted inthe slot: 94 is the rodshaped blade 96 of a fencing foil 98held inplaceby retaining collars 100and .102 respectively" and providedwith a handle 104. The forward end of the blade 96 carries a rubbertip106 having a reduced diameter for-. ward end 108 which is adapted to.enter any one of a seriesof target holes 110 in the opposing board 84.The target holes 110. are provided rearwardly withupwardly andrearwardlydnclined ,counterbores 112 in magazine blocks 114, which havefunnel-shaped receivers 116 opening at their lower ends into thecounterbore 112. Accordingly, when a supply of marbles or other targetballs 118 is provided inthe receiver 116, the lowermost hall 118 willdrop downwardly into the inclined counterbore 112 and come to ,restagainst the rim of the target hole 110, which has a diameter slightlysmaller than the ball 118 in order to prevent its passing through.

Therearward end of each counterbore 112 opens into afunncl-shaped chute.120 having a rear wall 122and downwardly-converging side Walls 124andf126 and wide enough to. extend beneath the outlets of. thecounterbores 11 2. At itslower end, the chute 120 opens into the upperend of a trough 128 which rests upon a cross member 130 secured to theuprights 62 and extends downwardly toward the opposite side, of thegame. Each trough 128 has a bottom wall 132 adapted torest upon and besecured to a cross member 134 secured to and extending between theuprights 62. The troughs 128 have side walls 136 and arefarranged sideby side so as to passone another, the chutes .120 being laterally-offset(Figure 10) to permit this, The lower end of each trough 128 terminatesin an inclined end wall 138 forming a ball pocket 140.

Thermidportions of the oppositely-inclined troughs 128 withone hand andputs his forward foot on hisfoot;

plate 66 in order to hold down his end of the framework,

while he thrusts and parries against his opponents foil' 98 with theobject simultaneously of defending the target holes 110 in hisparticular foil mounting board 84 and' 4 anchorage mounted on eachstructure, a pair of fencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected oneto each anchorage, a pair of fencing foils pointed toward one another inoverlapping relationship and connected one to each thrust-limitingdevice, each thrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged tolimit the thrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrustdistance away from its respective anchorage toward the opposinganchorage, and a target device mounted on each structure within thethrusting range of the tip of the opposing foil and responsive toscoring contact therewith of said opposing foil tip for automaticallyindicating such scoring contact. 2. A fencing game comprising anelongated frame including a pair of upright structures disposed inlongitudinally-spaced relationship, a thrust-limiting device anchoragemounted on each structure, a pair of fencing foil thrust-limitingdevices connected one to each anchorage, apair. of fencing foils pointedtoward one another in overlapping relationship and connected one to eachthrust-limiting device, each thrust-limiting device being constructedand arranged to limit the thrust of its respective foil'to apredetermined thrust distance away from its respective anchorage towardthe opposing anchorage, and a target device mounted on each structurewithin the thrusting range ofthe tip of the opposing foil and responsiveto scoring contact therewith of said opposing foil tip for automaticallyindicating such scoring contact, said target device including a targetobject and a target object'holder secured to one of said structures andyieldingly ,and detachably holding said target object.

3. A fencing game comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofuprightstructures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted on each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship andgconnected one to each thrust-limiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchorage towardthe opposing anchorage, and.acta'rget device mountedon each structure within the :thrusting rangeof the tip of the opposing foil and thr'ustingthe reduced diameter tip108 of his foil blade 7 96 into one of the target holes 110,in hisopponents foil mounting board 84. When this is accomplished, themarbleor other ball 118 so engaged is pushed upward along theupwardly-inclined counterbore 112 by the foil tip 108 so that it dropsinto the chute 12 0, whence it i rolls downward along the trough 128into the receiving ,pocket 140. As before, the number. of the marblesdistudinally-spaced relationship, a thrust-limiting deviceresponsive toscoring contact therewith of said opposing foil tipufor automaticallyindicating such scoring; contact, said. target device including a balland a .ball holder secured to one of said structures and yieldingly anddetachably holding said ball. a

4. A fencing game comprising an elongated'frameim.

cluding a pair. of upright structures disposed in longitudinally spacedrelationship, a thrust-limiting; device anchorage mounted on eachstructure, a pair of'fencing foil thrust-limiting devices. connected oneto each anchorage, a pair of fencing foils pointed toward one another inoverlapping relationship and connected one to each thrust-limitingdevice, each. thrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged tolimit the thrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrustdistance away from its respective' anchorage toward the opposinganchorage, and a target device mounted on each structure within thethrusting range of the tip of the opposing foil, said target deviceincluding a ball and a ball'holder secured to one of said structures andyieldingly and detachably holding said ball, each ball holder comprisinga member having a rearwardly-extending ball passageway therein with arestricted entrance sufiiciently large for the passage. of the foiltip'but'insufliciently largefor the passage of the ball forwardly. V v

n 5. A fencing game comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofupright structures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted on each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship and connected one to each thrust limiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arrangedto limit the thrustof its respective foil to a predetermined thrust distance away from itsrespective anchorage toward the'op'posing anchorage, and a target devicemounted on each structure within the thrusting range of the tip-ofrtheopposing foil, said target device in'cluding a ball and a ballholdersecured to one of said structures and yieldinglyand detachablyholding said ball, e'ach' ball holder comprising a member havingarearwardly-extendi-ng ball passageway therein with a restrictedentrance sufliciently large for the passage of the foil tip butinsuificiently largefor the passage of the ball forwardly, each ballholder also including a yieldable ball detent mounted near the rearwardend of said passagewayin partially-obstructing relationshiptherewith,

6.; A fencing gaine comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofupright structures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted one'ach structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices conne cted one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship and connected one to each thrustlimiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchorage toward the opposing anchorage, and atarget device mounted on each structure within the thrusting range ofthe tip of the opposing foil, said target device including a ball and aball holder secured to one of said structures and yieldingly anddetachably holding said ball, each ball holder comprising a memberhaving a rearwardly extending ball passageway therein with a restrictedentrance sufiiciently large for the passage of the foil tip butinsufliciently large for the passage of the ball forwardly, said ballpassageway being inclined upwardly and rearwardly away from saidentrance.

7. A fencing game comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofupright structures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted on each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship and connected one to each thrust-limiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchorage toward the opposing anchorage, and atarget device mounted on each structure within the thrusting range ofthe tip of the opposing foil, said target device including a ball and aball holder secured to one 'of said structures and yieldingly anddetachably holding said ball, and a ball magazine disposed above saidball holder and communicating therewith.

8. A fencing game comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofuprightstructures'disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted on each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship and connected one to each thrustlimiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchorage toward the opposing anchorage, and atarget device mounted on each structure within the thrusting range ofthe tip of the opposing foil, said target device including a ball and aball holder secured to one ofsaid structures and yieldingly anddetachably holding said ball, each ball holder comprising a memberhaving a rearwardly extending ball passageway therein with a restrictedentrance sufficiently large for the passage of the foil tip butinsufficiently large for the passage of the ball forwardly, said ballpassageway being inclined upwardly and rearwardly away from saidentrance, and a ball maga- V in overlapping relationship and connectedone to each zine disposed above said ball holder and communicating withsaid ball passageway.

9. A' fencing game comprising an elongated frame in: cluding a pair ofupright structures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted in each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship and connected one to each thrust-. limiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its respective, foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchorage toward the opposing anchorage, and atarget device mounted on each'structure within the thrustingrange of thetip of the opposing foil, said target device including a ball anda ballholder secured. to one of said structures and yieldingly and detachablyholding said ball, and a ball receiverdisposed below and in linewithisaid ball holder. 3 10.tA fencing game comprising an elongatedframe including a pair ,of upright structures disposed inlongitudinall'y-spaced" relationship, a thrust-limiting device anchoragemounted on each structure, a pair of fencing foil thrust-limitingdevices connected one to each anchorage, a pair of fencing foils pointedtoward one another thrust-limiting device, each thrust-limiting devicebeing constructed and arranged tolimit the thrust of itsrespective foilto a predetermined thrust distance away from its respective anchoragetoward the opposing anchorage, and a target device mounted on eachstructure within the thrusting range of the tip of the opposing foil,said target device including a ball and a ball holder secured to one ofsaid structures and yieldingly and detachably holding said ball, eachball holder comprising a member having a rearwardly-extending ballpassageway therein with a restricted entrance sufficiently large for thepassage of the foil tip but insufliciently large for the passage of theball forwardly, and a ball receiver disposed below and in line with therearward end of said passageway.

11. A fencing game comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofupright structures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted on each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward one another in overlappingrelationship and connected onelto each thrust-limiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its re-' spective foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchorage toward the opposing anchorage, and atarget device mounted on each structure within the thrusting range ofthe tip of the opposing foil, said target device including a ball and aball holder secured to one of said structures and yieldingly anddetachably holding said ball, each ball holder comprising a memberhaving a rearwardly-extending ball passageway therein with a restrictedentrance sufiiciently large for the passage of the foil tip butinsufiiciently large for.

the passage of the ball forwardly, each ball holderalso including ayieldable ball detent mounted near the rearward end of said passagewayin partially-obstructing relationship therewith, and a ball receiverdisposed below and in line with the rearward end of said passageway.

12. A fencing game comprising an elongated frame including a pair ofupright structures disposed in longitudinally-spaced relationship, athrust-limiting device anchorage mounted on each structure, a pair offencing foil thrust-limiting devices connected one to each anchorage, apair of fencing foils pointed toward oneanother in overlappingrelationship and connected one to each thrust-limiting device, eachthrust-limiting device being constructed and arranged to limit thethrust of its respective foil to a predetermined thrust distance awayfrom its respective anchoragel toward the opposing enchorage and atarget device "mounted on eachstruct tre within the thrlisftingi'angetof the tip oflthe PP ing foil; said target devjc'efii'tcluding aball and a ball holder-secured to one of said-structures and yieldinglyand ,detachably holding said ball, each ball holder comprising a memberhaving a 'rearwardly-extending ball pa sageway therein with a restrictedentrance sufiiciently large for the passage of the foil tip butinsufliciently large forlthe passage oft the ball forwardly, said ballpassageway" being inclined upwardly and rearwardly away from saidentrance; and aflball receiver disposed belowand in line withtherearwa'rdend of said passagey a 1 r r 13. A fencing gamecomprising anelongated frame including a pair of upright structures disposed'inlongitudinally-spaced relationship, a thrust-limiting device anchoragemounted on each structure, a pair of fencing foil thrust-limitingdevices connected one to each anchorage, a pair of fencing foils pointedtoward one another 2 thrust-limiting device, each thrust-limiting devicebeing constructed and arranged to limit the thrust of its respectivefoil to apredeterminedthrust distance away from -it's respectiveanchorage toward the opposing anchorage, and a target device mounted oneach struchire within the thrusting range of the tip of the opposingfoil, said frame including an outwardly-projecting holddown foot restmember mounted on each end of said frame substantially at floor levelnear the lower end of each of said upright structures.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France'..u Sept. 3, 1934

